UPDATE 3 - Israel's blocking of aid, letting it rot is ‘1st phase of its genocide’ against Palestinians’: Turkish foreign minister

REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE, ADDS FIDAN'S MEETING WITH HEAD OF ARAB LEAGUE

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned Israel’s crimes against Palestinians on Sunday while on a visit to Egypt.

“Israel's closing of the border gate, targeting aid convoys, killing humanitarian workers, blocking the evacuation of the sick and civilians and causing the decay of thousands of trucks' worth of aid materials are crimes against humanity and constitute the first stage of the genocide being conducted on the other side of the border,” Fidan said on X.

His remarks came after a visit to Egypt’s al-Arish port and the Rafah border crossing.

Türkiye has provided the most assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip, Fidan said, adding his purpose is not to discuss the aid sent by Ankara, but to “draw the world's attention to the genocide happening in Gaza."

He urged the international community not to remain silent over “Israel’s oppression” and called for greater efforts to ensure that aid reaches Gaza without being obstructed or interrupted.

He also reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, saying "we will continue to fulfill our moral and humanitarian duties properly."

Fidan also met with North Sinai Governor Major-General Khaled Megawer in al-Arish.

- Everyone will be ‘complicit in this atrocity’ if it’s not stopped

Fidan warned the world that everyone will be “complicit in this atrocity” if it is not stopped.

"If we do not stop this massacre here together, humanity will be complicit in it. Therefore, we must strive to provide all possible assistance and increase all pressure on Israel,” he told reporters.

He also urged the Western world, especially the US, to “break this silence,” warning that "otherwise, they will continue to be complicit in the ongoing genocide."

Before arriving at the Rafah border gate, Fidan had the opportunity to observe how aid brought by ships to al-Arish Port was loaded onto trucks and brought to the border gate.

“The Rafah border gate is currently closed to traffic. As you know, the other side of the border has been completely destroyed. Therefore, according to the information we have been given, trucks are not currently leaving from here. They are being directed to the Kerem Shalom crossing,” he said.

Fidan noted that only around 25 trucks per day can cross into Gaza from Kerem Shalom, which is extremely low.

“Right now, just a few hundred meters from where we are at the border, a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding and genocide is being committed. Two million people have been displaced.

“Forty thousand women and children have been martyred. There are currently no medicines, no food, no water. Our Palestinian brothers are struggling with hunger in the open air,” he said.

Fidan noted that Palestinians are dying and suffering from hunger, citing a lack of shelter, water, medicine and food, and that aid efforts in the region are critical.

"On the other side of the border, we have 2 million brothers and sisters who are on the brink of dying from hunger, with no medicine, shelter or food. They are dying in front of humanity’s eyes. As humanity and as Muslims, we must come together and do everything we can to end this genocide and the crime against humanity,” he added.

During his visit to Egypt, Fidan met with members of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent.

He also visited the Egyptian Red Crescent Logistics Center and was informed about the coordination of humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza, said the country’s Foreign Ministry on X.

Later the day, Fidan met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, in the Egyptian town of El-Alamein.

Fidan is on a two-day visit to Egypt at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, according to diplomatic sources.

Last month, Abdelatty was appointed Egypt’s foreign minister in a newly formed government.

The visit marks Fidan's first official meeting with his Egyptian counterpart.

During their talks, Fidan and Abdelatty will discuss preparations for the first High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting, which is set to take place during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's upcoming visit to Türkiye.​​​​​​​